New Skates

[hamstercaster 2]

I've used the search button and keep getting error messages like under two characters even though I'm using 3 and over or no results were found etc. so I figure there is nothing or not much information about the skates I'm eyeing.

Just a bit of info about me. I'm 6 feet tall, around 280 but losing weight slowly but surely. I play at the recreational level, no league play whatsoever and play now on average once, sometimes twice a week. Summer time goes up to two or three although next summer maybe different. Right now I have Graf Supra 625 skates. they are not too bad but they are too tight now. This is in part due to the fact that I have added some Superfeet soles in them and that may explain why they are a bit tighter, specially on top of the foot while the toe cap is also a bit tight but bearable. It's all somewhat bearable to an extent but I'm sure I can get better out there. Also, talent wise, I more often then not play D and would consider myself to be fairly agile but pretty freaking slow though but working on that and with the weight coming down, it can only help. I would say I have a wide foot as my Grafs are size 9.5 W and my goalie Supreme One55 where 10EE.

I'm looking for mid-level skates or at least between mid-level and entry level or something like that. I would be buying the skates probably in the new year or maybe on boxing day. I'm not that much in a hurry as I can't play hockey for at least another month because of a surgery I got a week and a half ago. I've played with CCM's in the past and liked them but can't remember the model. Than I had Nike Quests 1 or 2 can't remember and now the Grafs. As a goalie I had used some Vapor XIX and some Supreme One55. the One55 fitted best than the Vapors. I think I may not have a Vapor foot but perhaps the player skates are a bit different than the goalie ones

I was mainly eyeing the following skates

- The Vapor XXV which I believe is said to replace the Bauer XX or XXX can't remember

- The Supreme One75

- The RBK 6K which are presently on sale at some stores and I figure the same or better than the 5K which are pricier right now

- The CCM U+ (not the pro as it's out of my price range)

- The RBK 9K which would possibly come down to my price range or perhaps close enough with the new line coming out in January

- The X40 as the X50 is out of my price range at 500$

- The Vapor Shift perhaps as it's a SMU from what I understand is between a X40 and a X50 with pricing being closer to my price range

I must say that I seem to like the CCM specs the most with the foam that molds around your foot but don't know about durability and such and if the change from Grafs to CCM would be big angle and blade wise. Not even sure that there is much difference anymore between companies but not sure.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks

[tamtamg 12]

i don't think any of us would be able to give any advice with out an idea of your foot type.

[hamstercaster 2]

i don't think any of us would be able to give any advice with out an idea of your foot type.

I added some info in the post. I would say I have a wide foot as my Grafs were 9.5W and my One55 (goalie) were 10EE

[tamtamg 12]

i don't think any of us would be able to give any advice with out an idea of your foot type.

I added some info in the post. I would say I have a wide foot as my Grafs were 9.5W and my One55 (goalie) were 10EE

that would eliminate the vapor series. how's your arch? flat, med, high? also did you have any issues with ankle slippage in your previous skates? also, what's your foot volume like? did you have lace bite issues with your previous skates.

[hamstercaster 2]

I would say that my arch is medium. I've had slippage in the Nike Quest series and even in the One55 while goaltending and I seem to recall the same in my Grafs before I put Superfeet in them. I must add that the Superfeet made a big difference in confort and I stopped having back pain while playing hockey the first time I used them so perhaps that may say something about my arch, not sure. I have to tie my skates tight although with the Superfeet and my foot being tighter in the Grafs, I was able to tie them looser on top of my feet and tighter around the ankles.

[hamstercaster 2]

I guess what I'm really asking is performance and durability wise which one would be best and perhaps more confortable at least in terms of the confort features they offer as ultimatly I'll really know what suits me best by trying them on. Having an idea on which skate performs the best and is the most durable would give me a heads up as to with what skate to start shopping hoping they would offer me the proper fit which can only really be found out by trying them on.

[Jarick 5]

At 280, you might break down a skate faster than a lighter fellow...just something to keep in mind. The One75's if you fit into them properly would be a great skate for the money.

Do you wear socks?

[hamstercaster 2]

Yes. I wear the Bauer skate socks. They are black and grey.

[tamtamg 12]

At 280, you might break down a skate faster than a lighter fellow...just something to keep in mind. The One75's if you fit into them properly would be a great skate for the money.

Agreed. Go to your LHS and use that as your starting point skate.

[shifter 0]

If you want a more detailed observation you can always take pictures of your feet and post it here.

[tamtamg 12]

If you want a more detailed observation you can always take pictures of your feet and post it here.

I'd be careful with that. If we start posting too many foot pics, all the weird/crazy foot fetish freaks might on the internet ascend upon msh as their foot haven. :P

[hamstercaster 2]

If you want a more detailed observation you can always take pictures of your feet and post it here.

Might take you up on that if that can give you guys a better indication.. Can we upload a pic from our computer here or do I need to put it on photobucket first?

[hamstercaster 2]

Just tried to post pictures from Photobucket but it won't let me.. something about dynamic stuff being between image tags... Never had any problem posting to websites from Photobucket before. Anyone know what might be the problem?

[epstud74 24]

The XXV is not designed to replace a top of the line skate from the previous model like the XXX or XX.

Sometimes people mistakenly think they need a "wide" in a skate when they just need a better fitting skate with more volume than some brands offer. There are a crapload of hockey players out there in "EE" or "wide" sized skates that still fail the pencil test.

[MLSman 22]

I think you might find at your size that a lower end skate will break down much faster than a higher end skate. I think you hinted about a price range, so it might make sense for you to target a last year high end skate on clearance, like a vapor XXXX, RBK 9K, CCM U+ 2008, etc. as you work through this process. Like previously mentioned, the first thing to do is to hit a local LHS and try on some skates to get an idea of volume, fit, and comfort.

[hamstercaster 2]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm currently looking at the Vector 10 that's on clearance at Prohockeylife and looking at the CCM U+ (not the pro model) that is a mid-level skate I believe. I remember the days I wore CCM skates and it seems like the memories of the skate fitting me well and not causing any foot pain are what I remember the most. Then I swtiched to Bauer for some reason and now Grafs. Like I said, I'm presently wearing Supra 625 that are I believe mid-level or so, not sure and they don't show much wear and the boot is still very stiff and I've used them for the equivalent of a year and a half approximatly, playing twice a week. I'll have to hop down to Prohockeylife to see if they have them in stock and try the Vector 10 and see how they fit and then the U+ that looks like a decent skate although it seems not many people wear skates outside of the Bauer lines.

Thank you all for your help. I'll go shopping sometimes and try some skates on. My wish is to find something where I feel no foot pain or next to none. I've been able to achieve that to an extent with my Grafs since I started wearing yellow Superfeet in them but I'm sure I can do better in the confort department.

[MLSman 22]

You will NOT like the CCM Vector if you have a high volume foot. The vector is extremely narrow. I am 6'3" and about 150...and the Vector was too shallow for me...and I wear a C/AA boot. Again, make sure you try on before you buy.

[hamstercaster 2]

Oh I definitly will be trying them in at a LHS. I'm not one to buy skates online without trying them on first and I'm also not one to get fitted at my LHS and then going online to get a better price. I will however shop around my local LHS and see who has the best price/service combo.

[epstud74 24]

Man..it seems like a lot of people do not learn from previous skate purchases.

[hamstercaster 2]

Man..it seems like a lot of people do not learn from previous skate purchases.

Not sure if this is directed at me or not and if so what you mean as I think I'm going the right route to buy my next pair of skates by asking people in the know about suggestions and then shopping around and getting fitted properly. It's nice to have somewhat of an idea before going out to shop so not to have 20 pairs of skates to weed through and with all due respect to LHS personel, they are not always very knowledgeable and in my area I don't have that many LHS around either.

[epstud74 24]

No..not directed at you, but it is good you're trying a bunch of skates on. I just wish more people went into the LHS with an open mind. I honestly believe 65% (or more) of players are in skates that are not necessarily the best fit for them.

[hamstercaster 2]

No..not directed at you, but it is good you're trying a bunch of skates on. I just wish more people went into the LHS with an open mind. I honestly believe 65% (or more) of players are in skates that are not necessarily the best fit for them.

Thanks for the clarification. I'll be trying a bunch up for sure. Just wondering if I should try them with the superfeet or hope to find a skate that will fit me well enough not to have to use them. Now that I'm used to them, I mind as well try skates on with the superfeet, or perhaps try skates with and without them.

And I agree with your comment and I think you find that at all levels of beer league and recreational hockey. Many still chose skates on looks, popularity or the money they cost because they can afford them and show off. With my pick up bunch I see many that are wearing skates that don't seem to fit right. Most if not all the guys I play with have no clue what their sharpening is and wouldn't be able to ask specifically for what they want if they switched LHS. Like I mentionned in another thread, my LHS offers Regular, Sharp and Extra Sharp sharpennings in both regular sharpenings and FBV. I know that Shapr is 1/2 because I asked and learned a couple of things here on these forums and although I'm no pro, I have a slightly better understanding they they do. So if they were to go elsewhere using a different chart, they'd be screwed lol. Most are just clueless and the play leagues at high levels and are more often then not in the top 10 when it comes to scoring leaders...